A lot of beautiful clothes paraded down the runway for Milan spring/summer 2014 ready-to-wear, with trends such as sheer details, cropped tops, full pants, sculptural cuts, layering and more. But after looking for hours at show after show, I decided the best, most joyful trend I saw was prints.

Not just any prints – we're not talking delicate Swiss dots or tasteful stripes – Milan's designers made a statement, practically ordering fashionistas to drop the cool pretense of New York and embrace la dolce vita.

Dolce and Gabbana continued their love affair with Raphaelite hair, pretty Italian faces and decadent earrings, even reusing a silhouette or two. But this time, instead of religious icons, the pair featured photos of grand Italian edifices on dresses. Miuccia Prada played with faces out of proportion and Roman medallions on her sporty line, and Missoni took the chevron print into a whole other direction, creating birds on the wing over a playful sea.

Models wear creations for Dolce & Gabbana women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model walks the runway during the Gucci show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Gucci show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Alberta Ferretti show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES
A model (detail) walks the runway during the Alberta Ferretti show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES
Model Jessica Hart walks the runway during the Dolce & Gabbana show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Dolce & Gabbana show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Dolce & Gabbana show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the DSquared2 show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES
Models walk the runway during the Emporio Armani show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 20, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Emporio Armani show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 20, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway (detail) during the Etro show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 20, 2013 in Milan, Italy. PIER MARCO TACCA, GETTY IMAGES
Models walk the runway during the Etro show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 20, 2013 in Milan, Italy. PIER MARCO TACCA, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway at the Salvatore Ferragamo show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 at on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model wears a creation for Emilio Pucci women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. LUCA BRUNO, AP
Models wear creations for Fendi women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model wears a creation for Marni women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creations for Prada women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creation for Versace women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model wears a creation for Versace's women's Spring-Summer 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model walks the runway at the Missoni show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 at on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway at the Missoni show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 at on September 22, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Jil Sander show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 on September 21, 2013 in Milan, Italy. ANDREAS RENTZ, GETTY IMAGES

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.